[2025 Wuxi Hotels] Travel Guide for Dangkou Ancient Town Hotel Wuxi MGallery Collection (Updated Jul)

Summer travel means crowds everywhere, which really dampens the experience. For this weekend staycation, we drove 2 hours to the MGallery by Sofitel in Dangkou Ancient Town, Wuxi. Escape the city without leaving it behind, avoiding the bustling crowds. In this little town, we experienced the secluded life of Jiangnan. Dangkou Ancient Town was the retirement residence of Grand Tutor Hua (from "Flirting Scholar" where Tang Bohu courts Qiuxiang). Interestingly, Grand Tutor Hua isn't the villain we might assume—he carried forward the Hua family's "filial piety and righteousness" culture, which nurtured many cultural luminaries from Dangkou, like scientist Hua Hengfang and lyricist Wang Zi ("Ode to the Motherland"). Seems like Stephen Chow owes Grand Tutor Hua an apology! 😆 The town isn't overly commercialized, miraculously preserving the tranquil charm of a Jiangnan water town. Strolling here is incredibly soothing. We even bumped into kids at a summer camp, adding lively energy to the trip. The hotel blends seamlessly with the ancient town, a perfect example of commercial harmony with heritage. We stayed in a Wood & Stone Deluxe Room— Chinese-style design with understated luxury in the details. The bluestone floors bear traces of history, while the Dyson hairdryer on the vanity brings modern convenience. At dusk, the sky blazed with sunset hues, casting a magical glow over the room. Sipping tea on the balcony, admiring the view— pure bliss. Dinner was at the hotel’s Canju Lou Chinese restaurant, where the menu caters to diverse palates without the overpowering sweetness of Wuxi cuisine. The delicate tableware exudes Jiangnan elegance. No trip is complete without a nightcap— we tried the hotel’s signature "Ink & Books" cocktail, its ink-black hue a nod to scholarly refinement. The hotel is photogenic everywhere. For a peaceful weekend, just stay here and soak in Jiangnan’s charm for two days.

The hotel is built on the original site of the Jiadun Garden, where the Ming Dynasty official Hua Cha retired, making it a nearly 500-year-old "living museum." We intentionally chose the antique carved wooden building guest room. Pushing open the creaky wooden door reveals a classic Jiangnan courtyard house. Stepping into the second-floor guest room feels like entering a corridor of time, with exquisite carved wooden windows and doors resembling a silent noble lady quietly recounting the splendor of the past. As dusk falls and lanterns light up, the aroma of delicacies fills the Dining Chrysanthemum Pavilion. Gazing out the window, the hotel's nightscape unfolds like an ink painting. Each meticulously prepared dish is a work of art, playing a symphony of flavors on the palate, every bite brimming with the gentleness and depth of Jiangnan's water towns. Remember to book a window seat in advance to enjoy the view while dining. Under the night sky, it sparkles like a radiant pearl. Surprisingly, there's even a signature cocktail named "Tang Bohu Picks Autumn Fragrance," a solidified legend. The liquor shimmers enchantingly under the light, reminiscent of Autumn Fragrance's captivating gaze. During our stay, coinciding with the hotel's opening, there were live performances by resident singers! For self-driving, navigate directly to "MGallery by Sofitel Wuxi Dangkou Ancient Town." The hotel has convenient parking. For public transport, first arrive at Wuxi East Station (closer than Wuxi Station), then a taxi ride takes just over 20 minutes straight to the hotel. The surroundings offer many intangible cultural heritage experiences, such as making dried flower fans, clay figurine painting, ancient incense tablets, and movable type printing. Inquire at the front desk in advance to book and immerse in traditional culture. Particularly praiseworthy is the hotel's meticulous service. Every staff member greets guests with a smile and enthusiastically helps solve any issues, making it a truly wonderful experience for first-time visitors to Wuxi.

Let's start with the MGallery brand. As a luxury collection hotel brand under the Accor Group, it has more than 120 boutique hotels around the world, each with a story that is very characteristic of the local area. This time, the MGallery Hotel in Dangkou Ancient Town, Wuxi, opened at my doorstep, so how could I miss it? I just put on a coat and went out. The predecessor of the MGallery Hotel in Dangkou Ancient Town, Wuxi, was Jiadun Garden, built by Hua Cha, Grand Tutor Hua of the Ming Dynasty, after he retired to his hometown. That's right, it's Grand Tutor Hua from "Tang Bohu Spots Autumn Fragrance." I walked into the "Hua Mansion," which Tang Bohu tried so hard to enter, just like that. At the entrance of the hotel, water flows slowly from a high place, forming a circular waterfall landscape. The design inspiration comes from the "Four Waters Returning to the Hall" concept in traditional Chinese architecture, symbolizing the gathering of wealth and good luck. In the evening, when all the top lights are on, it transforms into a starry sky, and I was a little shocked when I passed by. Proceeding from the left, you can see the hotel gate, which is a white wall and black tile building full of the charm of Jiangnan water towns. The quaint architecture really has the meaning of an ancient mansion. If you ask me, MGallery, you are too low-key. The hotel has a total of 178 rooms, and this time I stayed in a superior king room. As a basic room type, the room configuration is very high. The area is 45 square meters, with a small balcony, offering a view when you open the window. Each area is separated by sliding doors. When fully opened, the space is transparent, and when closed, privacy is guaranteed, which is convenient and ingenious. The guest room is fully intelligent, and there are sensor lights installed on the bedside. You don't need to turn on a night light when you sleep, and the lights will turn on by the bed when there is movement. After several rounds of formaldehyde removal, there is almost no smell in the guest room. In addition, with the air purifier, it is even more reassuring. It is also equipped with a Bluetooth speaker and an iron, which is super considerate. I took off my coat and prepared to hang it in the closet. When I opened it, wow, are you kidding me? In addition to the coffee capsule machine and kettle, various cups are also prepared, which can be perfectly adapted for drinking tea or coffee. The bathroom area continues the high configuration, with Hansgrohe faucets, full-line MALIN+GOETZ toiletries, and even a Dyson hair dryer. Is this really a basic room? This is not just traditional dry and wet separation. The bathtub and shower are distributed on both sides of the bathroom, and the toilet is in a separate space outside this area, which can truly achieve non-interference. In addition to superior rooms and deluxe rooms, other room types are scattered in ancient houses throughout the hotel. The hotel retains the external architectural form while transforming the interior into modern and comfortable guest rooms. The largest suite has an area of more than 500 square meters, and it is said that some suites have their own dry sauna. If the bellboy hadn't introduced it, I would have thought it was a tourist attraction! Who would have thought that there is a mansion hidden in the simple and unadorned building! I would like to ask, what kind of strength does it take to live in it? If any students check in, remember to notify me. I'll be there in a flash. I have to go in and see it.